USDA Undersecretary Ted McKinney was in Japan earlier this month discussing ag trade issues with Japanese leaders and buyers at a large regional food show. But according to a story from Rod Bain by the end of this month, Japan could revert back to a tariff on U.S. frozen beef imports to levels prior to an increase last August. Turning …
EU, U.S., to Talk Tariff Exemption
The European Union and U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross are meeting in Washington, D.C. this week to consider a potential tariff exemption. The EU is exploring an exemption from President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, according to Politico. The EU is seeking “more clarity” on the criteria on which such an exemption could be granted. U.S. Trade Representative Robert …
South Korea Adopts New Poultry Import Policy
The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture has adopted a new regionalization policy that is good news for the U.S. poultry and egg industry. The new policy prevents a countrywide ban on U.S. exports to Korea in the event of a future finding of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Should a case be found in the future, only exports from each affected …
Cranberries Targeted by EU in Trade Spat
The European Union classifies cranberries as a retaliation target in response to President Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs. Bloomberg reports cranberries are among a basket of all-American goods, from peanut butter to bourbon whiskey and Harley Davidson motorbikes, singled out by the European Union. A lawmaker from Wisconsin says U.S. dairy is on the list as well, though the official …
Soy Growers Worried About Possible Trade Disruptions at U.S. Ports
The American Soybean Association and its grower-members are urging labor union and port management representatives to get back to the negotiating table and resume bargaining talks. The ASA is concerned about possible trade disruptions at East Coast and Gulf of Mexico ports, which would negatively impact agricultural and food product exports to key markets. The ASA joined several industry stakeholders …
USDA Trims Red Meat Production Numbers
USDA slightly reduced its projections for red meat and poultry production in 2018. The forecast is slightly lower than last month, primarily due to a drop in beef production, which will more than offset increased pork and turkey production. The latest World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates Report says broiler production remains unchanged. USDA sees lower cattle slaughter and weights, …
Business, Farm, Union Groups React to Trump’s Tariffs
Reaction to the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports has been mixed among different sectors of the economy. The Hagstrom Report says Business Roundtable President and CEO Joshua Bolten calls the tariffs a major unforced error by President Trump that will put America’s economic progress at risk. He says, “The tariffs will cause significant harm to industries that rely on …
AEM’s Slater: Trump Tariffs Won’t Help U.S. Manufacturers ‘Win’ Again
AEM worked to discourage President Trump from imposing heavy tariffs on steel and aluminum imports after the president said he intended to do just that this week. AEM is assessing the impact of Trump’s announcement last week that he would impose 25 percent import tariffs on steel and 10 percent import tariffs on aluminum. “President Trump shouldn’t undercut his own …
WTO Worried About Trade Wars Resulting from Trump Tariffs
The head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is concerned about President Donald Trump’s plans to impose a tariff on both steel and aluminum imports into America. Director General Roberto Azevedo says a trade war is in no one’s best interests. “The WTO is concerned about the U.S. plans for tariffs on steel and aluminum,” he says, “and the potential …
European Union Will Hit Back Against U.S. Tariffs
The President of the European Commission says he’ll “bring forward in the next few days a proposal for WTO-compatible countermeasures against the U.S.” Politico says the move is intended to hit back against the steel and aluminum tariffs announced on Thursday by President Trump. The Commission says the 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent on aluminum will directly …